This is a fantastic yummy grape drink. It is fermented (read the benefits of this type of beverage here) so it takes a few days to be able to enjoy it…but it is so worth it!
Day 1: Start by buying 8 pounds of organic grapes (red, green or a mix of both. I did a mix of both and got a cute “pink” color!). Wash them, pull them off their stems and run them through a juicer.
This process took me 40 minutes total. Set the pulp aside for natural yeast bread (recipe coming soon!).
This makes about 2 quarts of liquid. Pour into a large glass bowl. Add 1/4 cup of whey (this is the liquid whey reserved from making cream cheese-not powdered whey!) and 1/2 tablespoon of salt. Mix well, cover with tea cloth and rubber band. Set on top of the fridge (or anywhere else out of harms way) for three days.
Day 2-3: Occasionally check on it and skim foam/scum rising to the surface. (I do this in the morning and again at the end of the day to make sure the foam doesn’t get a chance to grow mold).
Day 3: Run grape juice through a tea cloth lined strainer. Pour into clean jars that seal tightly and store in fridge! I fit this in a quart jar and a 16 ounce jar. Serve 50/50 juice and mineral water. REVISION: LET SIT IN FRIDGE FOR 2 WEEKS OR MORE FOR A FANTASTIC FLAVOR CHANGE – TRULY AGES TO A BEAUTIFUL FULL GRAPE FLAVOR!
This is a lacto-fermented beverage with tons of benefits! Read about those benefits here.
This recipe is taken from Nourishing Traditions.
This post is shared on Monday Mania, Traditional Tuesday, Real Food Wednesday, and Homemaking Link Up and Pennywise Platter and Simple Lives Thursday
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Mmm… another recipe to help me justify splurging on that juicer!! My man and I love us some grape juice, but now that we eat real food, we’ve had to do without the purple-colored sugar water you buy in the stores. This is the real deal though! Can’t wait to try it.
Any ideas or experiences with not using whey…for those of us lactose intolerant??/
Some folks who are lactose intolerant say they can handle the whey. One has to be willing to try it out to see what the body can handle. Lemon juice or raw apple cider vinegar can be used instead.
I am lactose intolerant, and didn’t know whey could be my problem. I love this great practice though. Would love to try.
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OH yum! wish I could get my hands on some organic grapes!
Blessings!
LIB
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Have you tried just using a good blender like Blendtec or Vitamix to blend the grapes, instead of using a juicer? Do you think that would work?
Thanks!
Victoria, Well I suppose you could use it but what a mess it would be. The point of the juicer is to extract all of the pulp. With the blender, you would be combining the two into a fantastic juice, but not necessarily in the right form. You could then strain the juice through a cheese cloth, several times (at least two I would recommend). I have a vitamix as well and would love to know if you try this. You want to get rid of as much pulp/solid food as possible to prevent mold. When fermenting fruit (especially during the summer) there is more risk of spoilage. I would also recommend skimming the top more frequently during the fermentation process to prevent extra build up. I suppose to make a long answer longer, try it. I think it will work.
Thanks for the quick reply, Nikki. I think using the blender will be more work and I especially don’t like the mold risk! 🙂
I have a juicer, so I think that is definitely the best way to go!
Thanks again for your reply and good advice.
I don’t have a juicer but a vitamix. Could I just blend up the grapes and strain? Also, Could I use water kefir grains instead of the whey?
I responded to Victoria’s question about the blender, so please check that out in regards to the vitamix. As for the kefir grains, that would be a very different out come. I would not put the grains, as you are not adding sugar for the grains to eat (and you want the drink to stay somewhat sweet). I would say your best bet (if you don’t have whey) is to substitute the whey with water kefir (not the grain, the actual drink). Please come back and let me know how it works so I can update!